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I was astonished, mainly because they charged for the cardboard container, then poured the ashes into the Urn and discarded the cardboard box. I paid $145 for a cardboard box???

Guess things are expensive down here. Mom and I thought it would be a lot less but then she hadn't prepaid the cremation so we really didn't know.

I still have to have the date of death inscribed on her headstone and that cost is separate and charged by the guy who does the engraving. I was told that takes a little time, maybe another month. Sigh.

I agree that the $145.00 for a cardboard box seems high but if it makes you feel any better it probably also included the cost of shipping a box of "hazardous waste". I know the ashes of my husband were shipped that way---across town no less. I guess we were lucky because we got the zip lock bag and a PLASTIC box for free (or rolled into the other fees where they could hide its cost).

I agree that the $145.00 for a cardboard box seems high but if it makes you feel any better it probably also included the cost of shipping a box of "hazardous waste". I know the ashes of my husband were shipped that way---across town no less. I guess we were lucky because we got the zip lock bag and a PLASTIC box for free (or rolled into the other fees where they could hide its cost).

Yes, it may be hard to believe but human remains are considered "HAZARDOUS WASTE".

These forums have been a great help with other topics. Sorry to post here, but I could not find a better forum. I'm pre-planning funeral expenses for a relative. I received a price for a "direct cremation" of $3,740. Does that seem a little too high? This includes picking up the deceased, cremation and memorial service. I'm not sticker shocked but I thought it would be closer to $1,500. Anybody go thru this process? Again, this is all preplanning. If it matters, this would be done in the Northwest Chicago suburbs. I wanted to save some time calling other funeral homes.

I know I'm 6-months late to this discussion, but I'll chime in - for what it's worth.

$3750 seems pretty reasonable for what you mentioned. You're talking about 4 pretty specific things:
1. Picking up the body. This is FAR more complicated and involved than most people imagine.
2. Cremation. Keep in mind that the "crematorium oven" probably costs over $100,000. They've gotta pay for it somehow.
3. Memorial Service. This alone is a couple thousand from most funeral homes. There are a lot of people, a lot of time, and a lot of work involved.
4. All the proper paperwork. I know they "do this for a living," but it takes a lot of time and absolutely has to be done correctly.

So... As hard as it is to believe, I'm thinking that anything under $4,000 is probably not at all out of line.

As a FYI, I did a qucik check of our "Human Body Transport" regulations and it seems that in most US states, family members are allowed to transport the body to a funeral homes, cremetorium, morturay, or final resting place. Most do require a permit that seems more to do with making sure they state knows where the body is going (and apparently to let the police know its alright for you to have a dead body in the trunk).

There are several quiky things like the common notice of only within 24 hours of death. Some require a particular body "package" bag obtainable at any funeral home or health dept or enviromental agency. There is the you can do it so long as the guardian of the body and no funeral staff person has touched the body. And one that even prohibits driving through atunnel, only open roads and bridges.

Now, you will be surpised how many states specifically wrote into their laws that the family has the legal right to perform their own funeral service and final handling (consistant with laws and regulations) as they see fit.

As a FYI, I did a qucik check of our "Human Body Transport" regulations and it seems that in most US states, family members are allowed to transport the body to a funeral homes, cremetorium, morturay, or final resting place. Most do require a permit that seems more to do with making sure they state knows where the body is going (and apparently to let the police know its alright for you to have a dead body in the trunk).

There are several quiky things like the common notice of only within 24 hours of death. Some require a particular body "package" bag obtainable at any funeral home or health dept or enviromental agency. There is the you can do it so long as the guardian of the body and no funeral staff person has touched the body. And one that even prohibits driving through atunnel, only open roads and bridges.

Now, you will be surpised how many states specifically wrote into their laws that the family has the legal right to perform their own funeral service and final handling (consistant with laws and regulations) as they see fit.

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